Ventura man arrested after fleeing police by jumping across backyards

A map indicates the area around the 4000 block of Madison Street in Ventura, Calif., where police suspect Joshua Orrantia jumped across several backyards to avoid arrest on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

July 31, 2013 12:00:00 AM PDT

VENTURA, Calif. --

Police officers arrested a Ventura man Tuesday afternoon after he allegedly fled officers by jumping across residential backyards, according to the Ventura Police Department.

The incident began when officers saw someone commit a traffic violation while riding a skateboard near the intersection of Armstrong Avenue and Bermuda Court, police said. The officers tried to stop him, but he abandoned his skateboard and fled on foot into a nearby residential area.

According to police, after officers set up a containment perimeter around the area, residents on the 4000 block of Madison Street started calling the police. They reported that the suspect was moving from backyard to backyard, leaping across fences and heading east.

After a short time, officers found the suspect hiding in the side yard of a home on Madison Street, police said.

Joshua Orrantia, 34, was taken into custody without incident. Officers found tear gas in his possession. He was booked at Ventura County Main Jail on suspicion of obstructing police, prowling, possessing tear gas and violating parole.